Chapter 30

One element after the other, soon, Itadori was free from such an awkward phase. "And I thought puberty was bad…" Junpei muttered as they got word that Yuuji has finally mastered the elemental phase. But not only that, but there was a message Junpei got this morning from Itadori too.

Today, he was switching out.

"Hey bros, I don't know if you are aware, but it appears Yuuji is… switching today… huh? What does he mean by switching?" he asked aloud.

"What does the message say?" asked Sanso.

"Hey Junpei, please tell the brothers I won't be available today. I am switching out and cannot be reached for the next 24 hours…"

His confused look was shared by the brothers. "I don't quite understand it myself…" muttered Choso.

But then, his phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Junp? Suiryu."

"Junp?" he muttered.

"New nick name for you… then again I doesn't sound right… anyways, I wanted to call and see if you got Yuuji's message."

"Yeah about that… what the hell…"

"The dragon is coming out to play,"

He was silent. In fact, Junpei was stunned to the news. "Are you serious?"

"Oh yeah, he and Yuuji talked about it, the dragon wanted to see the outside world a few times, he hasn't asked for this yet, but since he's not a maniac bastard of an asshole who calls himself the King of Curses… it's cool."

"So… the dragon that's in Yuuji… is going to be out and about today?"

"Bingo, if anything. You and the bros should host him for dinner. As a token of thanks for bringing you all back, right?"

Hint received.

Junpei nodded in agreement. "Let me see if Eso and the others will be up for it." He covered the phone. "Guys, the dragon that possesses Yuuji is going to have a day out today. That's what he meant by switching out, but Suiryu is suggesting we invite him for dinner. Eso, are you up for it?"

He nodded. It would be a lot of work, but he agreed to the notion. Not to mention, while they were doing this whole rock opera thing. Suiryu had some renovations done on the dorms. Eso's kitchen was as big as the dorm rooms put together! "I'll help of course! This is the least we could do right?"

The brothers agreed. With that, Junpei told Suiryu he would make the call.

He dialed Yuuji's phone and the response was rather funny. "Greetings?"

He tried to hide his snickering, but it couldn't be helped! "Oh… hello?"

"Yuuji? Or should I say… Ryujin?" he asked gently.

"Indeed…"

"Sorry, my name is Junpei, and I was one of the nine that you helped bring back to life… I… well… the brothers and I would like to give you a small token of thanks for such a gift. Would you like to come for dinner?"

He waited a moment until Ryujin said. "I would be delighted to join you, when?"

"Seven o'clock?"

"Sounds good, see you then."

When he hung up the phone, he turned to Eso and nodded. "We better go get supplies and fast!"

#

The day was a whirlwind, and yet, Junpei had the perfect plan. He would go into the city with Eso's shopping list. With his strongest flying familiars, Tanso would help out by bringing the groceries from the city back to the forest so Junpei didn't have to constantly come and go. They made a rather unique system, the familiars would transport the food Junpei bought straight to Eso. Tanso even had his wolf and large cat familiars bringing the food that has been flown in back home to lessen the strain on the flying familiars.

Junpei however was nearly tired out from all the shopping.

Eso had a very specific list as to what he needed to get and bring back. So much so, Junpei went not only to Tokyo, but Kyoto and other regions to gather the supplies needed.

When he finished shopping, he returned home and helped Eso on the preparations. They spent the rest of the day cooking, prepping and preparing the meals until seven o'clock.

Suiryu came a half hour before… taste testing, claiming it was quality control for the sake of Ryujin.

By then, everything was prepared as well as they could, and they awaited their unusual guest.

Junpei peered through the forest until he saw something glowing and approaching their home. He was in aw of him. Ryujin, despite having Itadori's body, altered his appearance rather slightly, Yuuji appeared more mature, but his hair was a blaze of white. As if it were on fire.

But he looked to the brothers oddly, before nodding his approval of them. "Has life been satisfactory to you?" he asked gently.

The brothers nodded and thanked him for everything. But there was also another guest. A woman named Kitsune who stood at his side. She explained she was the guardian to Ryujin and Yuuji, she went as far as calling him her young master.

They welcomed in their guests.

Ryujin sat at the end of the table as the brothers all went into the kitchen and each brought out a different dish. Ryujin was given a massive helping before the brothers helped themselves to the food.

Seeing him eat… well…

The table paused as the dragon didn't quite have table manners. He ate as fast and as greedy as Suiryu did!

But the look on his face said it all. "This… is a remarkable feast!" he proclaimed. "I have eaten all day today and yet, this has to be the best offerings I have indulged myself upon…"

Eso was on the brink of tears!

Yet, as the meal finished, Ryujin had given them a warning. A body thief has come to Japan from the divine users in Hong Kong. They are determined to obtain Itadori for themselves and extract Ryujin from him. "The fools don't realize their mistake and error of this. Even if there were ten million divine users, they want my power for their own. They can't absorb it!"

"If they can't and yet, they will still try and obtain you?" Sho asked.

"Indeed, sorcerers tend to be greedy… no offence…"

"Do I really need to remind you where the hell I came from?" demanded Suiryu. "It's not a lie either. Sorcerers are greedy bastards!" he paused. "This isn't our first time dealing with a body thief either… in fact, everyone here has had an experience with such a sorcerer, do they not?"

Choso sighed aloud. "Kenjaku." He muttered.

"I do admit, this one is on a different level than Kenjaku. I can tell, this is merely a soul swap that they do, but at the same time, they take a bit of the soul of their host in order to possess them. This is also a difficult skill since the soul of the victim has to be evicted." Ryujin explained. "I know many are aware that the soul is attached to the body, but there are cases where the soul isn't. Yuuji for example."

"So the soul and body are one?" Junpei asked.

"Indeed, I hate to bring up your past little one, but that was how you died, wasn't it? The curse had altered your body and soul to such an extreme, you couldn't handle it and thus… took your life."

He wasn't lying about that.

"I could easily do away with this bastard…" Kitsune muttered.

"So can I you damn fox!" protested Suiryu.

Ryujin snickered. "Indeed, I have great faith in all of you to accomplish such a thing, however, that task cannot be done, not just yet. Which is why I wish to allow this body thief to obtain Itadori. For within him, are the souls of his past victims, unable to move on. They have to be freed before his life is taken. If not, those souls will go with him into death… and needless to say, I doubt he will end up anywhere pleasant…" warned Ryujin.

There was a nervous look about the room, yet Choso sighed aloud. "How can we refuse such a noble request? I ask one thing, protect my brother, Yuuji from any and all harm. Can you promise me?"

Ryujin vowed on his life he will. "I will die first before the child. I promise you,"

It was good enough for Choso.

"So, if we are to do this, then… how do we handle the body thief?" asked Suiryu.

Ryujin snickered. "You already know you are going to torment him, and I say go all out!" the dragon laughed. "I think it would be greatly amusing to see how far he gets and at the same time, think that the world around him has gone mad… it will be quite the spectacle."

"Why does he talk like Gojo about something as serious as body possession?" Junpei whispered to Tanso.

Tanso only shrugged his shoulders, not quite understanding it himself.

When the meal was finished and the dragon stuffed beyond human limitations he yawned aloud. "This day has been amazing, and here is hoping to many more!" he decreed.

But… why did Kitsune look so sad when he said that aloud?

They gave their thanks and watched Ryujin leave with Suiryu. In fact, Ryujin passed out from eating too much and was out like a light. Suiryu had to carry him home after that!